Difference between Static and Spinny

Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace started this discussion · 3/3/2012

Yikes! I just found out that the amateur comp I'm going in next week only has static poles... and I am a VERY spinny dancer! Arrghh. most of my moves look sooo much better on spinny, in fact, im not even sure if i should bother doing half of them is its on static! Like, how awkward and boring is getting into the ballerina and the Allegra gunna look if I'm stuck still!? :( Anyway, now that I've vented, does anyone have any tips on how to get that "wow" factor on a static pole? Like, how do you make tricks DYNAMIC if there's no twirl?.... Also, does anyone else find static pole's a little depressing? Like, where's the rush? *sigh*...

14 replies

ORGANIC ANGEL · 3/3/2012
Haha, lots og gals in the West actually start on static and graduate to spinny, Good luck! Have fun too!
PlatinumAni · 3/3/2012
I would feel the same way. Guess that means I should work on static more. lol. I am sure you will do great. Besides you never have to do a trick your dancing is so amazing.. ok maybe a couple of tricks. 😉
amy · 3/3/2012
To me, the wow on static comes from creating your own momentum and making people wonder if it's a spinny pole :)
Kira · 3/3/2012
lol you will still spin but you have to put more momentum behind the spin so you kinda have to 'throw' yourself into a move :) I also agree with amy - great static work is when you can't tell if the pole is on spin or not! It's a bit more transition work than you will do on spinny I think.... allegra and other holds will still work on static - hold them for at least 3 seconds and just engage with the audience and you will be fine :) I do prefer spinny though lol good luck!
Dancing Paws · 3/3/2012
You can also add some fun by doing leg movements and arm movements in the poses. Like in the allegra, add a little something with your free arm. In a CAR, do some chest circles or snake arms (I always do that.) In the ballerina, again, try something with your arms, like hit the ballerina pose, then bring your hand to your face and down and around with a little hand wavy motion (like a bellydancer) to make it emotional. Just some ideas. Just play around using your extremeties.
Lina Spiralyne · 3/3/2012
Maybe one or another drop could be considered if you find static too static. That usually creates a "wow".
Lana Lee · 3/3/2012
I do everything on static.... I learn all my moves on static and it's not so bad. You can learn lots of spins on static to make it look like you're on spinny, but of course you don't spin quite as long... There are a lot of combo spins you can do, maybe there will be some videos on it on youtube or something.
Krista Bocko · 3/3/2012
Ditto to Amy...I watched a pole video recently on static that was incredible--she got so much momentum that it blew my mind. I love both static and spin and I think it's good to be well rounded in both!
Sassafrassle · 3/3/2012
Ha I'm having the complete opposite problem to you right now - I normally work on static and I set myself the challenge of using the spinny pole for my next show routine (which is coming up next week, eeeekkk!) and it's been tough! My big piece of advice when going from spinny to static though would be, when you're getting into the moves, really think about your angle relative to the audience, ie finding the best way to orientate yourself to show it for maximum effect. Because you don't have to think about that when you're doing it on spinny, it can be something that people overlook when making the transition and it really shows when you're watching it...
Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace · 3/3/2012
Thanks girls for all your advice. I know some dancers can get some serious momentum on a static pole, and actually make it look like it's spinning, but I havn't been on one for over a year, so Im just really nervous and unfamiliar. Sassafrassle, great point, I was thinking about how I'm gunna make sure I position myself so when I pull a trick the audience sees the right angle.... ugh its just hard cause I wont be able to practice on a static pole until the actual night. Oh well, thanks for the help everyone, ill be crossing my fingers! :) xo
beaniegoesnuts · 3/3/2012
i hate static too! i think the things that look best on static are power tricks (like holding amazing shapes) or momentum tricks (where you create your own 'spin'). or you can just use the static pole for poses and things and do all your super awesome tricks on spin! good luck with the competition- is it pole candy?
Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace · 3/4/2012
I completely agree Beaniegoesnuts. I think if your on static and you can pull power tricks then who needs a spin? But I'm hald trickster, half dancer, and the dancer in me loves the artistic, pretty, fluid movements of spinning on a spinny pole. *Sigh* No it's not pole dancy, it's Bobbi's amateur pole comp, held on Thursday night at Pure Platinum in Sydney CBD. Im starting to get nervous - especially since i still havnt chosen a song! Yikes! :)
beaniegoesnuts · 3/4/2012
good luck! you're videos on veena look amazing so i'm sure you'll do great even if its just a freestyle. i love watching all you bobbi's girls, you're all taught to be amazing performers not just pole tricks. next time i'm in sydney I wanna do a pole grooves class so bad- the routines look AMAZING!
Juicy J · 3/4/2012
Hehe, thank you, Beanie Goes Nuts! I agree that Bobbi's routines do look great and I couldn't be more proud to be part of it too! And yes, Pole Grooves are really fun, especially when they're done with Chilli! (One of the hottest instructors @ Bobbi's) Hehe, Scarlett Honey, I think Bobbi's has converted me from a Static to Spinny girl! ^_^ I will also find it hard to dance on static now too even though that was what I started off with. Good luck!! I know you will do great! Make sure you post videos of this!!